AT A GLANCE
Join us for a scenic day trip exploring the incredibly picturesque Cape, visiting several destinations as we search for rare and endemic bird species which call the ecologically diverse and globally important Cape Floral Kingdom their home. A staggering 42 of South Africa’s 53 endemic bird species occur in the Western Cape, making it a must-do for serious and occasional birders alike.
Our route will take us along the mind-blowing coastal road of Clarens Drive, stopping in the small coastal town of Rooi-Els where we will embark on a relaxed nature walk along the mountain side, after which we will head further along the coast to Betties Bay to visit the unique African Penguin colony at Stoney Point, before settling down in the beautiful Harold Porter Botanical Gardens for lunch and a final nature walk.
Duration: Full Day (7am – 4pm)
On this day trip we will be looking for specials including:
• Cape Rockjumper
• Cape Rock Thrush
• Ground Woodpecker
• Cape Siskin
• Cape Sugarbird
• Orange-breasted Sunbird
• Malachite Sunbird
• Verreaux’s Eagle
• Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk
• African Penguin
• Crowned, Cape and Bank Cormorant
• African Oystercatcher
• Cape Spurfowl
• Victorin’s Warbler
• Protea Seedeater
Leaving your accommodation in Cape Town after a wholesome breakfast, we head for our first stop of Rooi-Els (Red Alder), a small coastal town close to the southern tip of False Bay. En route we will be following the incredibly scenic coastal road of Clarens Drive (Route 44), winding along the steep cliffs between the naval town of Gordons Bay and our first destination. Along the way we will make a few stops to take in and photograph the picturesque vistas.
While in Rooi-Els we will take a relaxed walk along the lower slopes of the Klein-Hangklip mountain in search of several Cape endemic bird species such as the Cape Rock Thrush, Ground Woodpecker, Cape Siskin, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird and, Cape Town’s most alluring endemic, the Cape Rockjumper. Also keep an eye out for Verreaux’s Eagle and Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk overhead.
Next stop, the coastal town of Betty’s Bay where we will be taking a short walk to see the African Penguin colony at Stony Point Nature Reserve. Apart from all the adorable penguins waddling around us, we will keep a sharp lookout for a few special birds along the shoreline such as the Crowned, Cape and Bank Cormorant, as well as chances of seeing the threatened African Oystercatcher.
After a waddle around the stony Point penguin colony we will take a short drive to the beautiful Harold Porter Botanical Gardens where we will sit down for lunch followed by a peaceful stroll around these charming gardens in search of some of the special bird species.
Also set in Betty’s Bay, The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, tranquilly set between mountains and sea, allows for a diversity in habitats and presenting excellent bird watching opportunities, boasting an astounding 96 recorded species. And although Harold Porter is far less known compared to its big sister Kirstenbosch, the birding is arguably better in terms of endemics. A few of the endemics which we can expect to see with a bit of luck include Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Siskin, Cape Spurfowl, Victorin’s Warbler, Protea Seedeater and Ground Woodpecker. Other nice birds here include Cape Bulbul, Jackal Buzzard, Karoo Prinia, Southern Boubou and Olive Woodpecker.
Concluding our trip at Harold Porter we will make our way back along the scenic coast road back to your accommodation in Cape Town, hopefully with a long list of endemics added!
Do you have a quick question about this birding tour? Speak to a specialist at
info@naturetravelbirding.com